Hiring Staff From Abroad to the UAE: Visa Step by Step

The steps

Offer letter and agreed salary
Work permit (MOHRE) and entry permit
Arrival, medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics
Residence visa and labour contract
For medical staff: DataFlow and DHA licence, ideally started before arrival

Timeline

For non-licensed roles expect about 2-4 weeks from offer to start, plus the candidate's notice period at home. For doctors, nurses and therapists add the licensing time, usually 1-3 months.

Documents that often slow things down

Degree attestation (in the home country, the UAE embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) for roles that require it
Experience letters for medical licensing
Passport validity of at least 6 months

Who pays

By UAE law the employer pays for the work permit and visa and cannot deduct these costs from the employee's salary.

FAQ

How long does it take to bring an employee from abroad?

About 2-4 weeks for non-licensed roles after the offer, plus notice period. Licensed medical staff take 1-3 months more for DHA licensing.

Who pays for the visa?

The employer. It cannot be deducted from the employee's salary.

Do you recruit candidates from abroad?

Yes, including Russian-speaking candidates from CIS countries and Europe. Our fee is one month's salary of the placed employee: 50% when they start and 50% after probation. No full prepayment, and a free replacement within 2 months.

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